Trailer toy



Feb. 27, 1945. G RLACHE 2,370,532

TRAILER TOY Filed Dec. 9, I 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 27, 1945. J GERLACHE 2,370,532

TRAILER TOY Filed Dec. 9, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 27, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAILER TOY John Gei'lache, Chicago, 111. 3 ApplicationDec-ember 9, 1944, Serial No. 567,370 llCjlaims, (o1;4c' -1o7) My invention appertains to toys of the trailer type, for example, toys wherein their traction upon a surface imparts a translation of motion to elements assembled on the body of the toy.

In this particular instance, the rotary motion of the wheels is translated to produce'continuous rotary motion of two cage elements rotating in opposite directions, and located intermediately between the said two cages, a third cage structure which operates within an angular or limited radial motion reciprocating in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.

An important object of my invention is to pro vide a toy of the aforementioned character, which is operated by the traction of wheels on a surface frictionally imparting motion to cages, and cam means provided on the said toy for'imparting reciprocating limited radial movement to a third cage element. s

Another object of my invention is to provide a toy of the aforementioned character which is simple in construction, which will furnish amusement to those operating the toy, and which'is of such simple elemental structure as to make possible economical production in quantities. Y

. Other features, objects,and'anc'illary' advan tages resulting therefrom will become apparent from an examination of the accompanying drawings taken in conjunction with the ensuing de scription, wherein like numerals are utilized to designate like parts, and in which:

Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of vention.

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof with certain portions cut away in order to more clearly depict the structure of my invention;

Fig. 3 is a top view looking down on Figure 1.

Fig. 4 is an end view as seen from the left'of Figure 3. Y

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing the other position of the cage structure when it is subjected to movement thru the traction of the wheels upon a surface.

Referring to the various figures, my invention is, generally, designated 6, and'comprises a platform I, substantially, shaped as shown, to which is secured a wire handle 8 of the shape indicated my inwhich is provided with a grip or handle portion 9. The said handle is secured to platform 1 by virtue of staples 33 which engagethe bent portion 32 of the handle 8 thestaples being driven into the platform 1.

UpOn the platform I are mounted two bearing blocks l2, and below the platform are two bearing elements I4 for receiving theshaft [-5',

to-which are secured firmly the wheels l0 op erating on'the traction surface H and in unison with the said shaft l5. To the shaft I 5, I also secure the cams 21 and 28 which have the throw of the respective cams positioned in opposite segmental relationship of 180, so that one cam is frictionally in contact, while the other cam is idle, and the situation is continually reversed,

depending on the constant rotation of the wheel III in the same direction; the purpose of this structure will be, hereinafter, more clearly elucidated.

Within the block supports 12, I mount the shafts l3, which in turn support rotatably the cages 24 and 25 so that the bottoms 22 thereof are in frictional and gravitational contact with the traction wheels I0. The cages are, preferably,

' caused to rest alternately on the operative portions of the cams 2! and 28 depending on their position during periods of rotation of the wheels ID. The platform 1 is provided with openings 35 thru which the cams protrude to permit them to contact the base of the central cage 26.

To the bottom l8 of the central cage portion, I secure a stop 20 which may be a dowel pin suitably attachedat a proper position; the said dowel pin being of sufficient length and in proper position in order to contact the bearings l2 so as to limit the motion of the central cage 26 and cause the same to move radially within the confines limited by contact with the blocks I2, alternately, during the rotation period or cycle of operation of the cams 21 and 28. The central cage portion 26 is made up of atop I! somewhat smaller than the bottom l8, and the side slats [9 which give the cage, preferably, a tapered construction to simulate the other cages used,

namely, 25 and 24.

The cams 21 and 28 are out of phase, and for lending further interest to the toy, animals such as those indicated may be positioned therein, namely, a larger animal 29 in the central cage, and smaller animals 30 and 3l in cages 24 and 25 respectively. I

The operation of the toy, being trailed on a surface H in the direction of arrow figure I, causes the wheels ill to rotate in the direction indicated, namely, clockwise, which in turn I causes the cage 25 to rotate.counter-clockwise,

and thevcage 24 to rotate clockwise, whereas the cage 26 is caused to rotate clockwise and counter-clockwise within the angular orbit governed by the contacting of stop 20 alternately against the bearing supports [2.

The operation of the cages is continuous in the same direction for the same directional movemeans, cam means mounted on said shaft and adapted to motivate .in limited oscillatory and reciprocating movement the said second-mentioned cage means, and stop means secured-to the said second-mentioned cage means to govern the limited reciprocating oscillatory movement thereof.

ment, in one direction continually, when move ment of the toy is caused to be propelled for ward, the operation of the outer cages beingsyn chronized to the radial and limited movement of the central cage; and conversely, when the trailer toy is pushed in the opposite direction to the arrow shown on the platform 1' in Figure 1, the

reverse rotation takes place, that is, thecage 25 I will be operated clockwise, cage .24 being oper ated counter-clockwise, whereas thesame limited radial movement will-be accorded to the central cage structure. V

I believe, I have described and revealed rather succinctly the nature and operation of my toy invention, and inasmuch as the-same is susceptible of modifications, and alterations, Ihereby reserve the right to allmodifications and alterations coming within thesc'ope and'spirit of my invention, also those embraced suggestively in the accompanying drawings, as well as thosefalling within the purview of the foregoing description.

Having thus described =andsrevealed my in vention, what I claim as novel and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A trailer toy comprising, a .platformnprovided with upper bearings and lower bearingaa shaft rotatably mounted in the said lower bear ings, wheels mountedonsaid shaft and adapted to rotate therewith, cagemeansrotatably mount ed in the said upper bearings, the bases thereof frictionally in contact with the rims of the said wheels, cage -means rotatably mountedon the "said platform and positioned intermediately the said first-mentioned cage means, andcam means mounted on said shaft andadapted-to motivate in limited oscillatory and reciprocating move-' ment the said second-mentioned cage means.

2. -A trailer toy comprising a platform provided with upper bearings and-lower bearings, a shaft rotatably mountedin the said lower'bear 4. A trailer toy comprising, a platform provided with upper bearings and lower bearings, a. shaft rotatably mounted 'in the said lower bearings, wheels mounted on said shaft and adapted to rotate therewith, cage means rotatably mounted in the said upper bearings, the

"bases thereof frictionally in contact with the rims of the saidwheels, cage means rotatably mounted onthe said platform and positioned intermediately the said first-mentioned cage means, cam means (mounted on said shaft in contact with ings, wheels mounted on said shaf and adapted to rotatetherewith, cage means rotatably mount- 5 ed in the said upper bearings. the bases thereof frictionally in contact with the rims -ofthe said.

wheels, cage means rotatably mounted on the said platform and positioned intermediately the said first-mentioned cage means, .andcam means mounted on said shaft in contact; with the base of the said intermediately positioned cage-means and adapted to motivate in limited oscillator-y and reciprocating movement the said second.- mentioned cage means.

vided with upper bearings and lowerbearings,

. cs 3. A trailer toy comprising. a platform-"pro v a shaft rotatably mounted in the said lower bearings, wheels mounted on said shaft and adapted -to rotate therewith, cage means :rotatably mounted in the said upper bearings,- the bases thereof frictionally .in contactwith the rims of the said wheels, cage means rota tably mounted onrthe said :platform and positioned the base of the said intermediately positioned cage means and adapted to motivate in limited oscillatory and reciprocating movement the said second-mentioned cage means, and 'stop -means secured to thensecond-mentioned cage means to gQVern the limited reciprocating oscillatory movement thereof.

5. 'A trailer -toy comprising, a platform provided with upper bearings and lower bearings, a shaftrotatably mounted in the said lower bearings,-wheels mounted on said shaft and adapted to rotate therewith, cage means rotatably mount,- ed in the said upper bearings, the "bases thereof frictionally in contact with the rims of the said wheels, cagermeans rotatably mounted on the said platform and positioned intermediately the said =first-mentioned cage means, cam means mounted on said shaft and adapted to motivate in limited oscillatory and reciprocating move ment the said second-mentioned cage means, and an operating handle secured to the .said platform.

6. A'trailer toy comprising, ,a platform provided-with .upper bearings and lower bearings, .a

shaft rotatably mounted in the said lower bearings, wheels mounted on :said shaft. and adapted torotate therewith, cage means rotatably mounted-in the said upperbearings, the bases thereof vided with upper bearings and lower bearings, a

shaft rotatably mounted in the said lowerbearings, wheels mounted on said shaft and adapted to rotateth-erewitncage means rotatably mountedin the said upper bearings, the bases thereof frictionally in contact with the rims of the said wheels,,cag'e means rotatably mounted .on the said platform and positioned intermediately the said .firstementioned cage means, cam means mounted on said shaft and adapted to motivate in limited oscillatory and reciprocating movement-the .saidsecond -mentioned cage means,

stop means secured to the .said second-mentioned cage :means to govern the .limitedreciprocating intermediately the said first-amentioned cage '75 oscillatory movement thereof, and an operating handle-secured to the said platform.

8. A trailer toy comprising, .a platform 'provided with upper bearings and lower bearings,

a shaft rotatably mounted in the said lower bearings, Wheels mounted on said shaft and adapted to rotate therewith, cage means rotatably mounted in the said upper bearings, the bases thereof frictionally in contact with the rims ofthe said wheels, cage means rotatably mounted on the said platform and positioned intermediately the said first-mentioned cage means, cam means mounted on'said shaft in contact with the base of the said intermediately positioned cage means and adapted to motivate in limited oscillatory and reciprocating movement the said secondmentioned cage means, stop means secured to the said second-mentioned cage means to govern the limited reciprocating oscillatory movement thereof, and an operating handle secured to the said platform. I

9. A trailer toy comprising, a platform provided with upper bearings and lower bearings, a shaft rotatably mounted in the said lower bearings, wheels mounted on said shaft and adapted to rotate therewith, cage means rotatably mounted in the said upper bearings, the basesthereof frictionally in contact with the rims of the said wheels, cage means rotatably mounted'on the said platform and positioned intermediately the said first-mentioned cage means, and can means thereof frictionally in contact with the rims of the said wheels, cage means rotatably mounted on the said platform and positioned intermediately the said first-mentioned cage means, and cam means 180 out of phase mounted on said shaft in contact with the base of the said intermediately positioned cage means and adapted to motivate in limited oscillatory and reciprocating movement the said second-mentioned cage means.

11. In a trailer toy, two outer cages adapted to be rotated in contra directions with respect to one another, and an intermediate cage adapted to be rotated in limited oscillatory reciprocating movement.

' JOHN GERLACHE. 

